Vienna Open 2026: De Minaur stuns Zverev to set up final with Alcaraz and grab Turin spot

Alex de Minaur has spoiled Alexander Zverev's week in Vienna. The Australian fifth seed beat the top seed 6-4, 1-6, 7-6(4) in Saturday's semi-final at the Erste Bank Open and will play Carlos Alcaraz for the title on Sunday. In the other semi-final Alcaraz beat Daniil Medvedev 6-4, 7-6(2). The win also moved de Minaur into the last provisional qualifying place for next month's ATP Finals in Turin, though he is only one point clear.

A tense finish against the incoming No. 1

The match lasted 2 hours and 33 minutes. De Minaur took the first set 6-4, but Zverev hit back to win the second 6-1. In the deciding set Zverev was two points from defeat while serving at 5-6, 40-40. He argued with the chair umpire over a time violation, then held serve to force a tie-break.

De Minaur went ahead early in the tie-break and Zverev made two errors at the net to fall 2-6 behind. The Australian double-faulted on his first match point and Zverev saved the second with a 222 km/h serve. On the third, a Zverev forehand landed long.

It was de Minaur's first win over Zverev outside team events such as the United Cup and Laver Cup, and the German still leads their head-to-head 9-5. Zverev will still replace Jannik Sinner as world No. 1 when the rankings are updated on Monday.

Alcaraz into his fifth final of 2026

Alcaraz, who entered Vienna as the second seed on a wildcard, needed 96 minutes to beat Medvedev. A Medvedev double fault gave the Spaniard set point in the opening set, and Alcaraz was much the stronger player in the second-set tie-break.

The win reversed Medvedev's victory over Alcaraz in the Indian Wells semi-finals in March, which was Alcaraz's first loss of the season. It also ended Medvedev's seven-match winning run. Sunday's match will be the 37th tour-level final of Alcaraz's career and his fifth this year, and he has now won 25 ATP 500 matches in a row.

De Minaur is the first Australian to reach the Vienna final, and he is unbeaten indoors this season at 10-0. This is the 23rd tour-level final of his career and his fourth of 2026.

Why Sunday matters for Turin

Zverev, Alcaraz, Ben Shelton and Medvedev have already qualified for the ATP Finals. Sinner is out for the rest of the season, so the eighth and final spot is open to the next player in line. After Saturday, de Minaur is eighth in the Race to Turin on 3,210 points, one point ahead of Spain's Rafael Jodar on 3,209.

Novak Djokovic and Taylor Fritz both slipped further back in Basel. Djokovic lost to Jan-Lennard Struff in the second round, and Fritz lost 7-6(5), 6-3 to Valentin Vacherot in Saturday's semi-final. In Basel's other semi-final, eighth seed Jiri Lehecka saved a match point to beat Struff 3-6, 7-5, 6-4. Vacherot and Lehecka play for the Swiss Indoors title on Sunday.

The Paris Masters main draw then starts on Monday 2 November, with the Turin race still open. Vacherot opens against Djokovic there.

Malaysia time for the final

Sky Sports lists the Vienna final for 1pm UK time on Sunday, which is 9pm Malaysia time on Sunday 1 November. Check local broadcasters and ATP platforms for streaming options in Malaysia.

Key takeaways

• Alex de Minaur beat Alexander Zverev 6-4, 1-6, 7-6(4) in the Vienna semi-final.
• Carlos Alcaraz beat Daniil Medvedev 6-4, 7-6(2) and plays de Minaur in Sunday's final.
• De Minaur moves to eighth in the Race to Turin, one point ahead of Rafael Jodar.
• Zverev still becomes world No. 1 on Monday.
• Basel's final is Valentin Vacherot against Jiri Lehecka.

FAQ

What time is the Vienna Open final in Malaysia? It is scheduled for 1pm UK time, which is 9pm Malaysia time on Sunday 1 November.

Has Alex de Minaur qualified for the ATP Finals? Not yet. He is eighth in the Race to Turin, but only one point ahead of Rafael Jodar, and the Paris Masters still has points on offer.

Does Zverev still become world No. 1? Yes. Zverev replaces Jannik Sinner at the top of the rankings on Monday despite losing in Vienna.

Sources: ATP Tour, ESPN, Sky Sports, Tennis Majors, Tennis Now